Clouds, humidity, and an early breeze are tag-teaming Dallas this morning, with temperatures near 72°F at Love Field and a muggy feel that is not going anywhere fast. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to bubble up this afternoon and linger this evening, with the best shot at storms from late afternoon into early evening. A few of those storms could turn strong to severe in parts of North Texas, mainly with large hail and damaging winds. Highs should still climb into the low 80s today before a warmer, sunnier Thursday slides in.
Afternoon Storms And Timing
Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth expect the most active window for scattered storms to run roughly from 2 to 8 p.m., with about a 50% chance across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro and higher odds northwest of the city, according to NWS Fort Worth. Rain totals will generally stay on the lighter side, around a tenth to a quarter of an inch, although any one storm could briefly dump heavier rain. No watches or warnings were posted early today, but that could change if storms start to ramp up.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
South winds should run about 10 to 15 mph this afternoon with gusts near 25 mph, and that gusty southerly flow may strengthen ahead of a more potent system later in the week. Those stronger bursts will make umbrellas a challenge and can easily toss around loose outdoor items, so expect a blustery feel during the evening drive. It is wise to keep an eye on live radar for any fast-developing cells that may bring a quick burst of heavy rain and stronger winds.
Weekend Cold Front And What To Expect
A stronger cold front is projected to move in on Saturday, bringing another round of scattered showers and storms along the boundary and a noticeable cooldown after it passes. Highs slide from the upper 80s tomorrow down into the low 70s by Sunday, with cooler, drier air hanging around into early next week. If you have outdoor plans from Friday night through Saturday, it may be worth shifting them earlier in the day or indoors and checking updated forecasts before you head out.
Local Context
Dallas has been coming off an unusually warm start to spring, with local coverage noting March as one of the warmest on record for the DFW area, which helps set the stage for this muggy, storm-prone pattern, per FOX4. For now, keeping your phone charged and having a quick shelter plan in mind if radar shows a storm headed for your neighborhood are simple steps that can make riding out these pop-up systems a lot easier.
